L-beam clamp



Nov. 22, 1960 C. J. RENFROE L-BEAM CLAMP Filed Aug. 21, 1957 INVENTOR.

C bar/es d. Hanf/'0a.

United States Patent'D,

2,961,270 L-BEAM CLAMP I Charles J. Renfroe, P.O. Box 4279,Jacksonville, Fla. I Filed Aug. 21, 1957, Ser. No. 679,351

7 Claims. (Cl. 294-85) This invention relates to a beam clamp which isparticularly constructed for use with L-beams or other angled beams thatare provided with single flanges as Yet another object is to provide abeam clamp having a plurality of locks, one of which is automatic initsoperation and the other of which must be manually locked and released.As soon as the manual lock is released, and upon removal of the load,the automatic lock will immediately release the beam clamp fromA thevbeam. A further object is the provision of a highly efficient and safelocking means for locking-a beam clamp alongthe length of an angledbeam.

- Other objects will appear hereinafter throughout the speciication.

In the drawings: Figure l is a transverse vertical section partly brokenaway, taken on the line 1 1 of Figure 2; v

AFigure 2 is a side elevation of the device, and showing the clampingmeans in non-lockingposition in full lines, andin clamping position indotted lines. l

Figure is a modied form of,V the shackle plate in side elevation; and vFigure 4 is a perspective view of the shackle bolt. Referring now to thedrawings, A shows a structural beam which is L-shaped in cross section,the ange being indicated at A1. The beam clamp consists of a pair o fbody portions and 11 of dissimilar shape, body portion 10 having flatsides, as shown in Figure l, while body portion 11 is provided with a`U-shaped clampinga portion for clampingly engaging the flange A1 of an L.shaped beam. The flat body portion 10, as shown, will engage the sideof the beam clamp.

The body portions 10 and 11 are provided with upper apertures 14 and 15,respectively.

The body portion 11 is provided with a lower aperture 16 for thereception of a pivot bolt 18. This bo-lt is provided with screw threads22 which engage the threads 24 of a nut 21, and the bolt is alsoprovided with a head 26 and handle portions 27 extending through `thebolt head, as seen in Figure 4.

Bolt 18 is further provided with a bearing sleeve 25 sov as to allow thebody members to be adjusted toward and from each other to accommodatedifferent sized beams A having longer or shorterlianges A1. This boltsupports bearing sleeve. 25 .which i s located in theaper 'willautomatically lock itself to the beam as the load is tin-e 42 of shacklep1ate`38.'

The locking bolt is shown at 36. This bolt is provided with threads 32which engage threads 33 on plate I0, and the bolt is provided with ahead 36. It will be noted that the rotation of the bolt 'head 36 so asto tighten the same will move the plates 10 and 11 toward each other soas to tightly grip the shackle plate 38 whichl is located between theseplates. This shackle plate is shown in Figurefl and provided with agrooved slot 44 for the reception of the locking` bolt 36. As shown inFigure 2, the shackle plate is provided with offset openings 43 and 45either of which may accommodate the load connecting' means. `Thisy loadconnecting means may comprise any suitable struc` ture such as a chainfall 46, a connector 48 and a link or hook 50 that may be engaged witheither of the apertures 43 or 45. v

The shackle plate is provided with teeth 52 and 54, in order that theshackle plate may engage the under side of the flange A1 when the loadis supported in thev aperture 45, and the under side of said flange A1is engaged by tooth 54 when the load is supported by engagement withaperture 43.

In Figure 3 is illustrated a slightly modied form of the inventionwherein the shackle plate 56 is provided With an arcuate slot 58, apivot opening 60, and teeth 52 and 54.

In place of the openings 43 and 45 of the structure shown in Figure 2,there is provided a second arcuate slot 62 whose ends have enlargedportions 65 and 66. With the construction shown in Figure 3, the loadmayv be quickly shifted from the enlarged portion 66 to the with theshackle plate 38 'and it may be used interechangeably in theconstruction shown in the several' figures.

When the load is applied to either of the openings 43 and 45, the platewill swing on the pivot bolt 18 so thatv the teeth will engage the underside of the beam flange y' A1. Assuming the loadis applied as shown inFigure 2,@

this will cause the plate to rotate in a clockwise direction to causeits tooth 52- to engage the under side ofi the flange A1, or ,the tooth52. of. plate 56,. shouldthis'- plate be substitutedfor plat'e38. Afterthis engagement'.

., gripping engagement of the body portions on the side faces of theshackle plate, the latter being accomplished by the rotation of the bolthead 36. The bolt head may be rotated to cause the clamping engagementbetween the body portions and the shackle plate by means of ar 1 socketWrench. With the body portions in firm clamp,

' ing engagement with the shackle plate, the tooth can not becomedisengaged from the flange A1 even though' the load would shift fromtime to time.

` It willbe understood that the present invention, while;l

3 applied. In othenwords,z the invention is adapted to use the beam asthe load, in place of supporting a load beneath the stationary beam,forming part of a load transportation system in shipyards, aboard ships,or industrial-plants? i Theabove description andirdravyingsdisclose*severalI embodiments of the invention; andfspecic languagehastbe'en employed in 'describing the several"iig'u'resaf Itwillglnevertheless, to `understood that(not'lirnitationsf'of` the seo'pe of`thel invention are therebyI contemplated; andi thatvarious alterationsand niodiiicatio'ns'may be nl'adesuch-as would occurto foneskilledinthe-art to which the invention'I relates'.

l; A self-'locking be'anfcla'rnp{ comprising apair 'of-body portions,"one* of isaidibody portionsv having straight' sides and the other"of*saidfbodyportionsifhaving' a U-shaped clampingiportion'at oneendthereof adapted forembracing? the ange ofa structural b'eam, thesaidU-sliape'd clamping portion adapted to extend longitudinally'alongthe an'ge ofi'said beam, each 'ofsaidii`b'ody portions'having4 a=pivot-receiving* opening# af shackle plate' having sides'located i"between said body 'portions havinga pivotrecivingS-topening, pivot'meansfextending through the pivot-'receivingopening's ofsaid bodyportions and shackle plate, said shackle plate having an upper surfaceand Sidesdenin'glcorners'lwith said upper surface 'located below'said`U-shaped clamping portion of said U-shaped bddyl` portioniand below saidbeam, said upper surface having teeth means located adjacent at leastone of said corners fand :adapted to engagetheunder side of a beam uponrotation of said shackle plate on said pivotmeans, load 'attaching meanson said shackle' plate laterally offset from a lin'e' extendingsubstantially medially and longitudinallyof'sid'pivot'meanswhereby whensaidload is attached to said load attachingmeans said plate will pivot"until its tooth meansengagessaid be'arnj and means for clamping'lytengaging said body portions with-the sidesofsaidsh'akle plate,4 saidclamping means including. means for guidingfsaidfshackle'plate` init's'pivotal movement, said-means being located between fsaid'teethmeansv and said pivot means.

2; A' self-locking beam clamp comprisingA af pair of body portions,one-of saidfbody portions having straight sidesandthe other of saidbodyiportions having a U- shaped'clampingiportion atA one e'nd thereofadapted for embracing theilange'ofL astructural beam, the said U- shapedclamping portionadapte'd to extend longitudinally alongtheflangeofsaidbeam,leach of said bo'dy portions having'` a pivot-receivingopening, a shackle'pl'ate locatedV between said body portions having apiVot-receivinglopening; pivot mea'ns extendingy through thepivot-receiving openings of-said body portions' and shackleplate; teethmeans on' said shackleplate'having an upper surface and sidesformingcornerswith said upper surface, said teeth means being locatedadjacent to said corners andibeing adapted to engage th'eunder side ofsaid beam-upon rotation` of sidshackle plate on said pivot means,load-attaehingmeanson said shacklefplate= laterally otfsetffrom a line`extending substantially medially" and longitudinally of' saidpivot'means whereby when said: load is1 attached to said load attachingmeans' said plate will pivot-until its toothmeans engages said'beam, andmeans for clampingly engagingsaid body portions with said shackle"plate; said last named means including screw-threaded means for causingsaid bodyportions to move toward eachother into clamping engagement withsaidshackle plate, said shackle plate havin'g ai arcuate"V slotsurrounding said' sc're'wtlireadedmeans', said clamping means includingriieans't'or guiding'saidshackle plate'in-itspivotal movement, saidmeans being located between said-'teeth means'- and said pivot means. j

3. A self-locking beam clamp comprising' a pair of body portionsfone ofsaid body portionsfhaving straight sides* and theIl other of: saidbodypor'tions having?. a" U- shaped clamping portion at one end ythereofadapted for embracing the ange ofa-.structuralbeam, the-said- U-shapedclamping portion `adapted to extend longitudinally along the flange ofsaid beam, each of said body portions having a pivot-receiving opening,a shackle plate located between said body portions having apivot-receiving opening, pivot means extending through thepivotreceiving openings of said` body portions and shackle plate, teethmeans on said shackle plate having an upper surface and sidesformingcorners'with said upper surface, said teeth means beinglocatedadjacent to said-corners and being adapted to engage the under side of abeam upon rotationaof :said shackle .plate on t said fpivot means, loadattaching means AOnsail shackle 4plate laterally olset from a lineextendingisubstantiallymedially and longitudinally of said pivot meanswhereby when said load is attached to said load attaching means saidplate will pivot until its tooth means engages said beam, and means forclampirigly" engagng-'said body portions withhsaid shackle l plate, saidpivot means` including a" sleeveilfor pivotallymontingfsaidshac'kleplat'e bolt, said`clampingl means incl'di'ng-'meansiifo guidingi 'said shackle plate in its Apivotal?lrriov'ernent; lsaid-limeansibeing located 1 between said teeth means and said pivot means.

4. A self-locking-beaml clamp comprising a pairf of bodyportio'ns,-oneof` said bodyiportions having straight sides and the other 0f said bodyportions having a U- shapedclamping'portion at oneend thereof adaptedfor embracing theange `of* a structural beam, the said U-shapedclampin'g portion adapted to extend longitudinallyu along`thellange'of said beam, each of said body portionshavin'ga"pivot-receiving opening, a shackle plateJ located betweensaidbody` portions having a pivot-receivingiope'ning; pivot`meansextending through the pivot` receivingl openings ofi said b'ody portionsand shaeklel platgteeth means-'on saidshackle plate havingan uppersurfaceV and l' sde`s=-frning i corners with said upper sur face',sai'dteethi means beinglocated adjacent to said cor2 ners and beingadapted to engage the under sideffofia beam fu'poiif rotation? ofi-saidf shackle plate on` said? pivot means, load-l a'ttachingfmeans'on saidshackleplate` latf' erally oiset from a line extending substantiallymediallyi and longitudinally of? said pivot means whereby when said loadis attached to said load attaching-meanssaidi plate will pivot until itstooth means e'ngagessaid beam, and" means forclampin'gly'engagingsaidbo'dy portions with said shackleplate, said'loadattacl'ling` meanscom-4 prisingfa pair of lapertures in said shackle plategeachaperturefbeinglocatedTin offset relation Iwth a line'ipass ing throughthe Yc'ehterof saidshackle-plate, said? clamp ingmeansincludingimeansfor guidingfsaid shackleplate in its pivotalmovement, said means being located be'-` tween said teethr means i and`said` pivot meansl 5. AA self-locking beam clamp comprising? a` pair ofbody` portions, one of said body portions having straight sides:` andthe other of said body portions havinga U- sh'ap'ed clamping" portionatfone endthereof adaptedfor-i embracingtherangeofaf structuralbeann-the said Uw sh'aped clampin'g portion adapted to extendylongitudinallyl alongithefaix'ge of said beam, each of said bodyportions'` having'- a i pivot-receiving opening, a shackle i platelocated? between said bodyportionslhaving a Vpivot-receivingopening,pivot means extendingthroughthe pivot-receiving openings of said bodyportions"` and shackle plate,1\teetl1" means-on vsaidsh'aclcle platehaving an upper surfa'ceand sides forming corners with said? uppersurface, sadteeth means beingi located* adjacent to `said corners andVbeing adapted tri-engage theunderside o'f said beamupon rota"-` tio'n`o'f-'sai'c'lshackle''plateton1 said-pivot means,` loadiattaching meanson said shackleplatelaterallyoffsetfrorn' a liri'ey extending`substantiallyl medially and longitudinally of saidlpivotfrnea'nswhereby whensa'id load is attached.;l to'said loadVattachingmeanssaidplate'will pivot until its"` tooth means engages saidbeam, and mearis'for.clatnpl` ingly engging'saidbody portions withsaidsha'ckle platef;

said last named means including screw-threaded means for causing saidbody portions to move toward each other into clamping engagement withsaid shackle plate, said load attaching means comprising a pair ofapertures in said shackle plate, each aperture being located in oisetrelation with a line passing through the center of said shackle plate,said clamping means including means for guiding said shackle plate inits pivotal movement, said means being located between said teeth meansand said pivot means.

6. A self-locking beam clamp comprising a pair of body portions, one ofsaid body portions having straight sides and the other of said bodyportions having a U- shaped clamping portion at one end thereof adaptedfo-r embracing the ange of a structural beam, the said U- shapedclamping portion adapted to extend lo-ngitudinally along the tiange ofsaid beam, each of said body portions having a pivot-receiving opening,a shackle plate located between said body portions having apivot-receiving opening, pivot means extending through thepivot-receiving openings of said body portions and shackle plate, teethmeans on said shackle plate having an upper surface and sides formingcorners with said supper surface, said teeth means being locatedadjacent to said corners and being adapted to engage the under side of abeam upon rotation of said shackle plate on said pivot means, loadattaching means on said shackle plate laterally offset from a lineextending substantially medially and longitudinally of said pivot meanswhereby when said load is attached to said load attaching means saidplate will pivot until its tooth means engages said beam, and meansincluding screwthreaded means on said pivot means and further includinga bolt located above said pivot means and extending through an aperturein saild cam shackle plate, and screwthreaded means on said bolt forclampingly engaging said body portions with said shackle plate, saidload attaching means comprising a slot, and enlarged openings formingthe ends of said slot, said enlarged openings being located on oppositesides of a line passing through the longitudinal center of said shackleplate, said clamping means including means for guiding said shacklep-late in its pivotal movement, said means being located between saidteeth means and said pivot means.

7. A self-locking beam clamp comprising a pair of body portions, one ofsaid body portions having straight sides and the other of said bodyportions having a U- shaped clamping portion at one end thereof adaptedfor embracing the ange of a structural beam, the said U- shaped clampingportion adapted to extend longitudinally along the Harige of said beam,each of said body portions having a pivot-receiving opening, a shackleplate located between said body portions having a pivot-receivingopening, pivot means extending through the pivot-receiving openings ofsaid body portions and shackle plate, teeth means on said shackle platehaving an upper surface and sides forming corners with said uppersurface, said teeth means being located adjacent to said corners andbeing adapted to engage the under side of said beam upon rotation ofsaid shackle plate on said pivot means, load attaching means on saidshackle plate laterally offset from a line extending substantiallymedially and longitudinally of said pivot means whereby when said loadis attached to said load attaching means said plate will pivot until itstooth means engages said beam, and means for clampingly engaging saidbody portions with said shackle plate, said means for clampinglyengaging said body portions with said shackle plate includingscrew-threaded means located above said pivot means, and furtherincluding screw-threaded means on said pivot means for causing said bodyportions to move toward each other into clamping engagement with saidshackle plate, said load attaching means comprising a slot, and enlargedopenings forming the ends of said slot, said enlarged openings beinglocated on opposite sides of a line passing through the longitudinalcenter of said shackle plate, said clamping means including means forguiding said shackle plate in its pivotal movement, said means beinglocated between said teeth means and said pivot means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS368,408 McCoy Aug. 16, 1887 493,216 Louden Mar. 7, 1893 862,840 Nelsonet al Aug. 6, 1907 1,768,543 Clausing July 1, 1930 1,959,722 Lackner May22, 1934 2,244,038 Zapotosky June 3, 1941 2,568,263 Wiseman Sept. 18,1951 2,671,625 Buckley Mar. 9, 1954 FOREIGN PATENTS 841,894 Germany June19, 1952 403,013 Italy Apr. 1, 1943

